Florida First Lady's Food Testing Program Faces Budget Cuts

Casey DeSantis' initiative to test for toxins and heavy metals in food lacks full funding from state legislature.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis' food testing program, which aims to test for toxins and heavy metals in food products, is facing budget cuts from the state legislature. Neither the House nor Senate budget proposals include the full $5 million requested by Governor Ron DeSantis for the program, with the Senate earmarking only $2 million and the House providing no funding at all. Some lawmakers have questioned the need for the state to create its own version of the federal Food and Drug Administration's food testing capabilities.

Why it matters

The food testing program is part of Casey DeSantis' broader 'Healthy Florida First' initiative, which has drawn criticism from the food industry over its testing methodology. The lack of full funding could undermine the program's ability to continue conducting tests and publishing results that have highlighted the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants in common food products.

The details

Casey DeSantis has touted the food testing program, which began in late 2025, as a way to bring transparency and accountability to the food supply. The state has already tested 24 infant formulas, 46 candy products, and 8 bread brands, finding heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants in many of the products. However, the food industry has pushed back on the state's testing methods. The program has cost approximately $44,000 so far, with payments to two private labs.

  • Casey DeSantis launched the food testing program in late 2025.
  • The state legislature released its budget proposals in February 2026, which did not include the full $5 million requested for the program.

The players

Casey DeSantis

The First Lady of Florida, who has championed the food testing program as part of her 'Healthy Florida First' initiative.

Ron DeSantis

The Governor of Florida, who included $5 million in funding for the food testing program in his budget proposal.

Alex Andrade

A Republican state representative who chairs the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee and has questioned the need for the state to create its own food testing program.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know why the state needs to create its own version of the (federal Food and Drug Administration). I think it's great what the First Lady is doing, but no state employee has come and talked to me about why this is necessary.”

— Alex Andrade, State Representative, House Health Care Budget Subcommittee Chairman (News Service of Florida)

“Florida will continue to fight on behalf of families all across this great state and do what is within its authority to test, verify, retest, hold people accountable and bring transparency where families deserve answers.”

— Casey DeSantis (State press conference)

What’s next

The state legislature will need to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate budget proposals, which could determine the final funding level for the food testing program.

The takeaway

The lack of full funding for Casey DeSantis' food testing program highlights the political challenges in implementing new state-level initiatives, even when they are championed by the First Lady. The program's future remains uncertain as the state legislature works to finalize the budget.